Two communist rebels killed in clash

Two communist rebels have been killed in a clash with government troops in an eastern Philippine province.

Two communist rebels were killed in a clash with government troops in an eastern Philippine province, an army commander said on Saturday.

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Colonel Ramon Baldemor said the fighting erupted on Friday when patrolling troops encountered about 15 guerrillas in Mercedes town in Camarines Norte province, 225 km southeast of Manila.

Baldemor said the troops recovered three assault rifles, four backpacks and subversive documents left behind by the fleeing rebels.

There were no casualties on the government side.

Communist rebels have been fighting the government since the late 1960s, making the movement one of the longest-running leftist insurgencies in Asia.